Information processing apparatus and data communication method

ABSTRACT

An information apparatus switches a display at a predetermined area which includes at least a part of a portion where an electromagnetic-wave emitting unit used for data communications with a data storage device is disposed, according to data communication processing with the data storage device, and emits sound generated according to the processing at corresponding timing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to information processing apparatuses anddata communication methods, and can be applied, for example, toprocessing for non-contact-type IC cards.

2. Description of the Related Art

Since non-contact-type IC cards can record various types of data and canbe accessed in a non-contact manner, they are conventionally used, forexample, as electronic-money recording media and for enter/leavemanagement of a room.

In this type of IC card, a high-frequency signal induced in a built-inloop antenna is rectified to generate a driving power source. Therefore,when an IC card is held in a vicinity of a reader/writer, which accessesthis type of IC cards, a high-frequency signal sent from thereader/writer is induced in the loop antenna and the IC card startsoperating.

When the IC card starts operating in this way, signal processing isapplied to the high-frequency signal induced in the loop antenna toanalyze a command sent from the reader/writer, and in addition, varioustypes of data sent from the reader/writer is received. The IC card alsoswitches, for example, the terminal impedance of the loop antenna at apredetermined timing according to an analysis result of the command tosend a status, data recorded into a memory, and others to thereader/writer.

A system using this type of IC card executes mutual authentication withan IC card to transmit and receive data. Data to be transmitted andreceived is encrypted and then transmitted and received to assure highersafety.

Since this type of non-contact-type IC card can be accessed just byholding them in a vicinity of a reader/writer, electronic-moneyprocessing and the like can be executed without passing them to a clerk,unlike conventional credit cards, and also thereby safety is assured.

Although non-contact IC cards are convenient in this way, they need tobe held in a vicinity of a reader/writer while the reader/writeraccesses them and executes electronic-money processing or otheroperations. During this period, if the user moves the IC card away fromthe reader/writer, it is necessary to repeat the processing.

Therefore, to prevent such processing repetition and to improveease-of-use, the user may be prompted to place an IC card at apredetermined position.

Even in such usage, when a user interface which effectively uses afeature of non-contact-type IC cards, that is, accessibility obtainedwhen the IC cards are held in a vicinity of a reader/writer, isprovided, this type of IC card can be applied to various increasingfields, and in addition, the user can use them more easily.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in consideration of the abovepoints. An object of the present invention is to provide an informationprocessing apparatus and a data communication method which allow a userinterface effectively using a feature of data storage devices, that is,non-contact accessibility, to be provided.

The foregoing object is achieved in one aspect of the present inventionthrough the provision of an information processing apparatus foraccessing a predetermined data storage device in a non-contact manner,including electromagnetic-wave emitting means disposed at apredetermined position for emitting an electromagnetic wave; datacommunication means for transmitting and receiving data to and from thedata storage device through the electromagnetic-wave emitting means; adisplay having a display area to which a predetermined area whichincludes at least a part of a portion where the electromagnetic-waveemitting means is disposed is set; and control means for controlling theoperations of the data communication means and the display, wherein thecontrol means switches a presentation of the display according toprocessing of the data communication means.

According to the above structure, since a presentation of the displayhaving a predetermined display area is switched according to processingperformed by the data communication means for transmitting and receivingdata with the data storage device held in a vicinity of the displayarea, it is possible, for example, that the display guides the user toconvey the data storage device to the display area, and in addition, aresult of processing is displayed at a portion where the medium has beenconveyed. Therefore, a user interface effectively using a feature ofdata storage devices, that is, non-contact accessibility, can beprovided.

The foregoing object is achieved in another aspect of the presentinvention through the provision of a data communication method foraccessing a predetermined data storage device in a non-contact manner,including the step of switching a presentation of a predetermined areawhich includes at least a part of a portion where electromagnetic-waveemitting means used for data communication with the data storage deviceis disposed, according to data communication processing with the datastorage device.

According to the above structure, a data communication method employinga user interface effectively using a feature of data storage devices,that is, non-contact accessibility, can be provided.

The foregoing object is achieved in still another aspect of the presentinvention through the provision of a data communication method foraccessing a predetermined data storage device in a non-contact manner,including the step of emitting sound generated according to datacommunication processing with the data storage device, at timingcorresponding to the data communication processing.

According to the above structure, when sound generated according to datacommunication processing with the data storage device is emitted attiming corresponding to the data communication processing, even if aseries of processing is finished by operations performed by the user fora data storage device such as an IC card, the user can understand aprogress state of the processing.

The foregoing object is achieved in yet another aspect of the presentinvention through the provision of an information processing apparatusfor performing data communication with a data storage device, includingcommunication means for transmitting and receiving data to and from thedata storage device by an electromagnetic wave; and state indicationmeans for indicating a first state in which the information processingapparatus is waiting for communication with the data storage device, asecond state in which the information processing apparatus iscommunicating with the data storage device, and a third state in whichcommunication between the information processing apparatus and the datastorage device has been finished.

The foregoing object is achieved in still yet another aspect of thepresent invention through the provision of a guidance method oncommunication between a data holding apparatus and a processingapparatus for transmitting and receiving data in a non-contact manner,including the step of guiding on the state of communication with thedata holding apparatus by the use of sound or light.

As described above, according to the present invention, a presentationat a predetermined area which includes at least a part of a portionwhere electromagnetic-wave emitting means used for data communicationwith a data storage device is disposed is switched according to datacommunication processing with the data storage device to provide a userinterface effectively using a feature of the data storage device,non-contact accessibility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of a centralprocessing unit in an input and output section according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an IC card system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a store terminal of the IC cardsystem shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the input and output section of the storeterminal shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the structure of the input andoutput section shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the input and output section shown inFIG. 5, in which the placement of an IC card is awaited.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the input and output section shown inFIG. 5, in which an error is reported.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the input and output section shown inFIG. 5, in which processing has been correctly finished.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a deposit machine in the IC cardsystem shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the deposit machine shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of a centralprocessing unit in the deposit machine shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B are plans of the deposit machine shown in FIG. 10,in which an error occurs.

FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B are plans of the deposit machine shown in FIG. 10,in which processing has been performed correctly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detailby referring to the drawings, if necessary.

(1) First Embodiment (1-1) Structure of the First Embodiment

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an IC-card system according to a firstembodiment of the present invention. In this IC-card system 1,non-contact-type IC cards 2A and 2B are used as electronic-moneyrecording media.

In this IC-card system 1, a financial-institution server 3 recordselectronic money and executes processing such as settlement. Morespecifically, the financial-institution server 3 updates recording ofelectronic money in the IC card 2A and a store terminal 4 when the storeterminal 4 accesses the financial-institution server 3. Thefinancial-institution server 3 also records the deposit of electronicmoney in the IC card 2B when a deposit machine 5 accesses thefinancial-institution server 3. The financial-institution server 3executes the same processing as described above when afinancial-institution terminal or a terminal apparatus, such as apersonal computer individually owned by the user, accesses thefinancial-institution server 3.

The store terminal 4 is a terminal apparatus disposed at one of variousstores, and takes electronic money equivalent to payment out ofelectronic money recorded in the IC card 2A, and reports suchelectronic-money transfer to the financial-institution server 3. Incontrast, the deposit machine 5 is a terminal apparatus disposed at apredetermined financial institution or the like, and receives a depositby cash and increases electronic money recorded in the IC card 2B. Thedeposit machine 5 also reports the electronic-money increase to thefinancial-institution server 3.

With these operations, various payment processes can be executed usingelectronic money recorded in an IC card, and electronic money reduced bysuch a payment process can be increased by the deposit machine 5 or thelike, in the IC-card system 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the store terminal 4. The store terminal4 is formed of a body apparatus 11 and an input and output section 12.The body apparatus 11 is an accounting apparatus which functions as apoint-of-sale (POS) apparatus, and executes payment calculationprocessing and others. The body apparatus 11 also instructs the inputand output section 12 to perform payment processing according tocalculated payment, obtains a result of processing, and reports it tothe financial-institution server 3.

The input and output section 12 is a reader/writer for the IC card 2A,prompts the user to perform an IC-card operation according to aninstruction from the body apparatus 11, reduces electronic moneyrecorded in the IC card, and reports a result of processing to the bodyapparatus 11. The input and output section 12 is formed by placing aplate-shaped body section 12B on a predetermined-shaped stand 12A. Inthe body section 12B, a display section 12C formed of a liquid-crystaldisplay panel is formed at an upper section of the front surface, and aplacement section 12D is formed under the display section 12C.

A printed circuit board on which various processing circuits requiredfor processing with an IC card, various processing circuits required forprocessing with the body apparatus 11, and others are mounted isaccommodated in a thin case; and a semi-transparent decorative panelhaving a predetermined opening and a plane, transparent acrylic plateare sequentially laminated and disposed on an opening of the case so asto cover the entire front surface of the case to form the body section12B.

The display section 12C is formed such that a presentation on theliquid-crystal display panel mounted on the printed circuit board inthis way can be seen from the front-surface side. In contrast, in theplacement section 12D, a loop antenna serving as electromagnetic-waveemitting means used for data communication with an IC card is disposedat a predetermined position on the printed circuit board, correspondingto almost the center of the placement section 12D. Therefore, the inputand output section 12 can exchange data with an IC card when the IC cardis held in a vicinity of a predetermined area centering around thecenter of the placement section 12D.

Various light-emitting diodes are disposed on the printed circuit boardso as to enclose the loop antenna, and a semi-transparent decorativepanel and a plane, transparent acrylic plate are sequentially laminatedand formed above the light-emitting diodes to form the placement section12D serving as a display section having a predetermined display area.

In the input and output section 12, this acrylic plate has a planesurface at the front-surface side, and the entire front surface,including the placement section 12D, is formed of a plane surfacewithout having a dented section for guiding a position where an IC cardis placed. Therefore, the input and output section 12 has a simplifiedstructure and a good design with a feature of non-contact-type IC cards,that is, accessibility just by holding them in a vicinity of areader/writer, being effectively used.

Even when various indications are performed by the lighting oflight-emitting diodes in the placement section 12D and the placementsection 12D has a plane surface in this way, the user is guided toperform an IC-card operation without an error, and in addition, an errorgenerated when a different card is placed can be reported to the user.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of the input and outputsection 12. In the input and output section 12, an interface (I/F) 21serves as an input and output circuit with the body apparatus 11,reports various commands and data output from the body apparatus 11 to acentral processing unit (CPU) 22, and outputs statuses corresponding tothe commands, and data read from an IC card, both of which are outputfrom the central processing unit 22 to the body apparatus 11 under thecontrol of the central processing unit 22.

A transmitting and receiving circuit 23 drives the loop antenna 24disposed almost at the center of the placement section 12D by apredetermined high-frequency signal under the control of the centralprocessing unit 22, and when the IC card 2A is held in a vicinity, turnson the power of the IC card 2A by the high-frequency signal. Thetransmitting and receiving circuit 23 also modulates the high-frequencysignal by a data string output from a signal processing circuit 25 totransmit various commands and data used for recording to the IC card 2A.The transmitting and receiving circuit 23 stops modulating such ahigh-frequency signal at a predetermined timing, detects ahigh-frequency signal at the loop antenna 24 to obtain various data sentfrom the IC card 2A, and outputs the data to the signal processingcircuit 25.

The signal processing circuit 25 applies encryption processing andencoding processing to data output from the central processing unit 22under the control of the central processing unit 22, and outputs dataobtained as a result of the processing to the transmitting and receivingcircuit 23 by a serial data string. In a reverse way, the signalprocessing circuit 25 also applies decryption processing to decrypt adata string obtained from the transmitting and receiving circuit 23 torelease encryption, and outputs data obtained as a result to the centralprocessing unit 22.

The central processing unit 22 is a controller for controlling theoperation of the input and output section 12, specifies a work area in amemory (not shown), and executes electronic-money processing specifiedby the body apparatus 11 according to a predetermined processingprocedure. In this processing, the central processing unit 22 follows aprocessing procedure shown in FIG. 1 to switch the presentation of theplacement section 12D according to the processing. Thereby, the userpositively places an IC card and the processing can be finished.

More specifically, when the body apparatus 11 instructs the start of theelectronic-money processing, the central processing unit 22 activatesthe operation of the transmitting and receiving circuit 23, and controlsthe operation of the signal processing circuit 25 so as to send apolling command to the IC card 2A. When sending a polling command isstarted, the procedure proceeds from step SP1 to step SP2, and thecentral processing unit 22 instructs blue light-emitting diodes disposedin the placement section 12D to blink.

As shown in FIG. 5, blue light-emitting diodes LB are disposed atportions corresponding to the four corners of the IC card 2A, the fourcorners being determined when the IC card 2A is placed at the center ofthe placement section 12D, and a location where the IC card 2A is to beplaced can be indicated by lighting of the blue light-emitting diodesLB. Green light-emitting diodes LG are disposed outside the bluelight-emitting diodes LB at the right and left by a predeterminedistance apart, corresponding to the blue light-emitting diodes LB. Theinput and output section 12 can report to the user that a series ofprocessing has been successfully finished by lighting of the greenlight-emitting diodes LG. Red light-emitting diodes LR are disposedoutside above and below the green light-emitting diodes LG in theirvicinities, corresponding to the green light-emitting diodes LG. Theinput and output section 12 can report to the user that a series ofprocessing cannot be successfully finished by lighting of the redlight-emitting diodes LR.

These light-emitting diodes LB, LR, and LG are mounted on the printedcircuit board and accommodated in the case, and the semi-transparentdecorative panel and the transparent plate are sequentially disposedthereon to form the placement section 12D such that it also functions asa display section. Lighting of these light-emitting diodes LB, LR, andLG can be seen at a large area. Even if the user does not pay specialattention to lighting of diodes, the user can easily recognize theplacement position of an IC card even vaguely, and in addition, the usercan check an error and the completion of the processing.

In the process of step SP2, the central processing unit 22 blinks theblue light-emitting diodes LB disposed at the portions corresponding tothe four corners of the IC card 2A as shown in FIG. 6. To a user whocannot understand the meaning of lighting of the blue light-emittingdiodes LB even when an attention is called by lighting of the bluelight-emitting diodes LB, a message “Place card over” is indicated atthe display section 12C to prompt an operation of the IC card 2A. Apayment is also reported to the user by a message “Payment: $xxx”indicated at the display section 12C.

Then, the procedure proceeds to step SP3, and the central processingunit 22 determines from a result of the processing performed by thesignal processing circuit 25 whether a response corresponding to thepolling command has been obtained from the IC card 2A. When a negativeresult is obtained here, the central processing unit 22 repeats step SP3to wait for a response corresponding to the polling command to come. Incontrast, when an affirmative result is obtained in step SP3, thecentral processing unit 22 controls the operation of the signalprocessing circuit 25 such that mutual authentication processing isexecuted with the communication object which has sent back the response.

Then, the procedure proceeds to step SP4, and the central processingunit 22 determines from data output from the signal processing circuit25 whether mutual authentication has been successfully performed withthe communication object. When a negative result is obtained, theprocedure proceeds to step SP5, and the central processing unit 22instructs that blinking of the blue light-emitting diodes LB is stoppedand the red light-emitting diodes LR are turned on for a predeterminedtime to indicate an error to the user, as shown in FIG. 7. A message“Wrong card” is displayed at the display section 12C to report thecontent of the error to the user.

Then, the procedure proceeds to step SP6, and the central processingunit 22 drives a speaker 26 (FIG. 4) which functions as sound emittingmeans to emit a predetermined alarm sound. Then, the procedure returnsto step SP2. The central processing unit 22 again blinks the bluelight-emitting diodes LB, and displays a predetermined message to promptthe user to place an IC card.

In contrast, when an affirmative response is obtained in step SP4, theprocedure proceeds to step SP7. The central processing unit 22 instructsthe signal processing circuit 25 to read individual information, theamount of electronic money, and others recorded in the IC card 2A, anddetermines from data sent from the signal processing circuit in responseto the instruction whether the information has been read correctly. Whenthe information cannot be read correctly due to an error of the IC cardor other reasons, a negative result is obtained, and the procedureproceeds to step SP8.

In the same way as in step SP5, the central processing unit 22 instructsthat blinking of the blue light-emitting diodes LB is stopped and thered light-emitting diodes LR are turned on for a predetermined time toindicate an error to the user. A message having a content correspondingto data output from the signal processing circuit 25 is displayed at thedisplay section 12C to report the content of the error to the user.

Then, the procedure proceeds to step SP9, and the central processingunit 22 drives the speaker 26 to emit the same alarm sound as in stepSP6. Then, the procedure returns to step SP2. The central processingunit 22 again blinks the blue light-emitting diodes LB, and displays apredetermined message to prompt the user to place an IC card.

In contrast, when an affirmative result is obtained in step SP7, theprocedure proceeds to step SP10. The central processing unit 22 changesblinking of the blue light-emitting diodes LB to continuous lighting.Then, the processing proceeds to step SP11, and the central processingunit 22 controls the operation of the signal processing circuit 25 toinstruct the IC card 2A to update electronic money. The centralprocessing unit 22 calculates the amount of money to be written bysubtracting the amount of payment from the amount of electronic moneyrecorded in the IC card 2A, and instructs that the amount of electronicmoney is updated to that to be written. In addition, the centralprocessing unit 22 determines from data output from the signalprocessing circuit 25 whether a response corresponding to this updatinginstruction has been obtained from the IC card 2A.

When a negative result is obtained, which means that the IC card 2A, theprocessing object, is moved away from the loop antenna 24 before theprocessing is finished, or the like, the procedure proceeds to step SP12and the central processing unit 22 instructs that blinking of the bluelight-emitting diodes LB is stopped and the red light-emitting diodes LRare turned on for a predetermined time to indicate an error to the user.A predetermined error message is displayed at the display section 12C toreport the content of the error to the user.

Then, the procedure proceeds to step SP13, and the central processingunit 22 drives the speaker 26 to emit the same alarm sound as in stepSP6. Then, the procedure returns to step SP2. The central processingunit 22 again blinks the blue light-emitting diodes LB, and displays apredetermined message to prompt the user to place an IC card.

In contrast, when an affirmative result is obtained in step SP11, theprocedure proceeds to step SP14. The central processing unit 22determines from data output from the signal processing circuit 25whether a status telling that the amount of electronic money has beencorrectly updated has been obtained from the IC card 2A. When a negativeresult is obtained, which also means that the IC card 2A, the processingobject, is moved away from the loop antenna 24 before the processing isfinished, or the like, the procedure proceeds to step SP15 and thecentral processing unit 22 instructs that blinking of the bluelight-emitting diodes LB is stopped and the red light-emitting diodes LRare turned on for a predetermined time to indicate an error to the user.A predetermined error message is displayed at the display section 12C toreport the content of the error to the user.

Then, the procedure proceeds to step SP16, and the central processingunit 22 drives the speaker 26 to emit the same alarm sound as in stepSP6. Then, the procedure returns to step SP2. The central processingunit 22 again blinks the blue light-emitting diodes LB, and displays apredetermined message to prompt the user to place an IC card.

In contrast, when an affirmative result is obtained in step SP14, theprocedure proceeds to step SP17. The central processing unit 22 turns onthe green light-emitting diodes LG for a predetermined time in additionto the blue light-emitting diodes LB, as shown in FIG. 8. With thisoperation, the central processing unit 22 reports a normal processingcompletion to the user. At the same time, the central processing unit 22displays an electronic-money balance at the display section 12C. Whenthe balance is too little to cover payment in this process, the requiredadditional amount of money is also displayed.

The procedure proceeds to step SP18, and the central processing unit 22drives the speaker 26 to report a normal processing completion to theuser. Then, the procedure proceeds to step SP19, and the processing isterminated. When a series of processing is finished in this way tocorrectly complete electronic-money payment processing, the centralprocessing unit 22 reports it to the body apparatus 11. When theelectronic-money payment processing has been finished correctly but anadditional amount of money is required, the central processing unit 22also reports the additional amount of money to the body apparatus 11. Ifan error occurs a predetermined number of times or more, the centralprocessing unit 22 reports the condition to the body apparatus 11, andterminates the processing.

With the above operations, placement of an IC card and its position areindicated to the user by blinking of light-emitting diodes, and acorrect processing completion or an error is reported in the storeterminal 4.

With the above operations, in the input and output section 12, the loopantenna 24 is disposed at a predetermined position and serves aselectromagnetic-wave emitting means for emitting an electromagneticwave, whereas the transmitting and receiving circuit 23, the signalprocessing circuit 25, and the central processing unit 22 form datacommunication means for transmitting and receiving data to and from anIC card through the electromagnetic-wave emitting means. Thelight-emitting diodes form a display having a display area to which apredetermined area which includes at least a part of a portion where theelectromagnetic-wave emitting means is disposed is set together with theplate disposed at the front surface side. The central processing unit 22serves as control means for controlling the operations of the datacommunication means and the display, and switches the presentation ofthe display according to processing performed by the data communicationmeans.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the deposit machine 5. The depositmachine 5 is formed in a narrow box shape, and has various operationsections at an upper half of the front surface. More specifically, thedeposit machine 5 has an upper-half portion partially formed back, atthe front. At this set-back portion, an insertion opening 5A where abill is inserted is formed. The deposit machine 5 increases the amountof electronic money by the amount of a bill inserted into the insertionopening 5A.

In the deposit machine 5, a display section 5B is formed at an angleunder the insertion opening 5A to report various messages to the userthrough displays on the display section 5B. Under the display section5B, an input opening 5C for the IC card 2B is formed, and a take-outopening 5D for the IC card 2B is further formed apart by a predetermineddistance under the input opening 5C in the deposit machine 5. Apushbutton 5F for instructing a processing completion is disposed at aside of the input opening 5C, and an output opening 5E for a receiptwhich records electronic-money processing is disposed under the take-outopening 5D.

As shown in a partially extended manner and indicated by a symbol “A,” atrough 31 having a width slightly larger than the short side of an ICcard is formed in the vertical direction at a front panel in the depositmachine 5. A transparent-plate or acrylic cover 32 is disposed so as topartially cover up the trough 31 from a portion lower than the upper endof the trough by a predetermined distance in the deposit machine 5. Inthe deposit machine 5, the thickness of the cover 32 is specified suchthat the cover 32 is opposite the far side of the trough 31 with apredetermined gap being provided, and thereby, a path 33 for an IC card,having a rectangular-cross-sectional shape which allows an IC card tofall freely is formed. The upper-side opening of the path 33 is used asthe input opening 5C for an IC card, and a triangle is indicated at thepanel side, which shows the input opening 5C for an IC card.

A plurality of protrusions 34 protruding from the far side of the trough31 is disposed at the path 33 for an IC card. When the IC card 2B isinput to the input opening 5C, free fall of the IC card 2B is stopped bythe protrusions 34, and the IC card 2B is held in the path 33 so thatthe user cannot take out the IC card 2B. Since the trough 31 is coveredby the transparent cover 32 to form the path 33 in the deposit machine5, the user can visually confirm that the IC card 2B is temporarily heldin the path 33. The protrusions 34 are structured so as to be drawn backby control of a central processing unit described later. Therefore, whenprocessing is finished, the deposit machine 5 draws back the protrusions34 to allow the IC card 2B to fall.

In the deposit machine 5, a receiving pan 36 for receiving the droppedIC card 2B is disposed under the path 33. The receiving pan 36 is formedby injection-molding a transparent resin in a box shape such that the ICcard 2B dropping through the path 33 can be completely accommodated andit can be seen from the outside. The receiving pan 36 is structured soas to swivel round a swivel shaft formed at its bottom, and therefore,the IC card 2B can be taken out after the receiving pan 36 is swiveled,as shown by a one-dot chain line. In the present embodiment, thereceiving pan 36 serves as the take-out opening 5D.

The receiving pan 36 has a large cut extending from its upper end to thecenter on the front surface side. The user can easily swivel thereceiving pan 36 toward the user by placing a finger at the cut, andtake out the IC card 2B.

In the deposit machine 5, the IC card 2B is moved in this way. A loopantenna is disposed at a portion near the rear surface of the IC card 2Bheld by the protrusions 34 in the path 33, and thereby, the loop antennacan be driven to access the IC card temporarily held in the path 33. TheIC card 2B is replenished with electronic money in the deposit machine 5when the IC card 2B input from the input opening 5C is temporarily heldin the path 33.

At a portion where the IC card 2B is temporarily held in this way in thedeposit machine 5, red, blue, and green light-emitting diodes aredisposed around the loop antenna in the same layout as described for theplacement section 12D, with the loop antenna placed at the center; asemi-transparent plate is further disposed; and a display sectionfunctioning by lighting of the light-emitting diodes in the same way asin the store terminal 4 is formed at the far side of the trough 31 inthe portion where the IC card 2B is temporarily held. The depositmachine 5 prompts the user to set an IC card, and further reports to theuser a result of various processing by displays on the display section.

The deposit machine 5 is structured such that the path 33 serves asconvey means for conveying an IC card serving as a data storage deviceby free fall in a way in which it can been seen, and the light-emittingdiodes disposed at the trough 31 in the path 33 serve as a displayhaving a display area in the path 33. In addition, the loop antennadisposed together with the light-emitting diodes serves as datacommunication means for transmitting and receiving data to and from anIC card held in the vicinity of the display area of the display and forperforming various types of signal processing described later.

In the deposit machine 5, a display section 38 having greenlight-emitting diodes is disposed above the output opening 5E for areceipt. Lighting of the display section 38 can draw attention of theuser to the output opening 5E for a receipt. In addition, the button 5Fis structured such that a green light is turned on. Lighting of thebutton 5F can also draw attention of the user to the button 5F. The path33 is also provided with an optical sensor for detecting a card or thelike.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the structure of the deposit machine5. In the deposit machine 5, a deposit mechanism 41 detects the amountof money of bills inserted into the insertion opening 5A and reports itto a central processing unit 42. More specifically, the depositmechanism 41 optically detects the insertion of bills into the insertionopening 5A, and draws the bills into the inside. A predetermined conveymechanism conveys the bills to a holding section, and the holdingsection holds them. During the conveyance, the amount of money of thebills is detected.

A liquid-crystal display panel (LCD) 43 forms the display section 5B,and displays various messages under the control of the centralprocessing unit 42.

Light-emitting diodes LB, LG, and LR are light-emitting diodes disposedin the path 33 described above, and emit light at predetermined timingunder the control of the central processing unit 42.

A transmitting and receiving circuit 44 drives a loop antenna 45disposed in the path 33 by a predetermined high-frequency signal underthe control of the central processing unit 42, and thereby, turns on thepower of the IC card 2B held in the path 33. In addition, thehigh-frequency signal is modulated by data output from a signalprocessing circuit 46, and thereby, various commands and data are sentto the IC card 2B. Modulation performed by the output data is stopped atpredetermined timing, and a high-frequency signal is detected to receivevarious types of data and others sent from the IC card 2B and they areoutput to the signal processing circuit 46.

The signal processing circuit 46 applies encoding processing andencryption processing to commands and various types of data and sendsthem to the transmitting and receiving circuit 44 under the control ofthe central processing unit 42. Conversely, the signal processingcircuit 46 also releases the encryption of data obtained from thetransmitting and receiving circuit 44, applies decoding processing, andreports a result of processing to the central processing unit 42.

A plunger 47 is a mechanism for moving the protrusions 34, and draws theprotrusions 34 back from the path 33 under the control of the centralprocessing unit 42 to drop the IC card 2B held in the path 33 to thereceiving pan 36.

A printing mechanism 48 prints a receipt and discharges it from theoutput opening 5E under the control of the central processing unit 42.An interface (I/F) 49 is an interface with the financial-institutionserver 3, and reports processing performed by the deposit machine 5 tothe financial-institution server 3 through a predetermined line.

The central processing unit 42 is a controller for controlling theoperation of the deposit machine 5; obtains a work area in a memory notshown, and executes a predetermined processing procedure to depositelectronic money in the IC card 2B. In the processing, the centralprocessing unit 42 executes the processing procedure shown in FIG. 11 toswitch a presentation at the path 33 according to the processing toprompt the user to perform various operations and report an error withthe same presentations as those used by the input and output section 12.

More specifically, when it is determined from a result of detectionperformed by a sensor not shown that the user stops in front of thedeposit machine 5, the central processing unit 42 starts the processingprocedure, and the procedure proceeds from step SP21 to step SP22. Thecentral processing unit 42 instructs the blue light-emitting diodes LBto blink among the light-emitting diodes of various colors, disposed inthe path 33 to prompt the user to insert an IC card into the insertionopening 5C. The central processing unit 42 holds the protrusions 34 at astate in which they protrude into the path 33. When an IC card is inputto the insertion opening 5C, the IC card is temporarily held thereby inthe path 33. In addition to blinking of the blue light-emitting diodesLB, the central processing unit 42 drives the liquid-crystal displaypanel 43 to indicate on the display section 5B messages such as“Welcome” and “Set card”.

Then, the procedure proceeds to step SP43, and the central processingunit 42 determines from a result of detection performed by the opticalsensor disposed in the path whether a card or the like has beeninserted. When a card or the like has been inserted, the procedureproceeds to step SP44; and the central processing unit 42 starts theoperation of the transmitting and receiving circuit 23, controls theoperation of the signal processing circuit 25 so as to send a pollingcommand to the IC card 2A, and detects a response corresponding to thepolling command. When a correct response is obtained, mutualauthentication processing is executed for the IC card, and it isdetermined whether correct mutual authentication has been finished. Withthe above operations, the central processing unit 42 determines whetheran IC card has been correctly inserted from the insertion opening 5C.

When a bank cash card, for example, or the like which is other than anIC card is inserted, the central processing unit 42 obtains a negativeresult in step SP44, and the procedure proceeds to step SP45. Thecentral processing unit 42 stops turning on the blue light-emittingdiodes LB, and turns on the red light-emitting diodes LB for apredetermined time. The central processing unit 42 also controls theoperation of the plunger 47 so as to retract the protrusions 34 from thepath 33 to drop a card-shaped object temporarily held in the path 33 tothe receiving pan 36. In addition, the liquid-crystal display panel 43is driven to display a message “This card cannot be used” on the displaysection 5B. The central processing unit 42 reports an error and thecontent of the error to the user by lighting of the red light-emittingdiodes LR and a presentation on the display section 5B.

In the next step SP46, the central processing unit 42 drives a speaker50 to emit a predetermined alarm sound. The procedure proceeds to stepSP47, and the processing procedure is finished. With these operations,the central processing unit 42 illuminates the path 33 by blinking ofthe blue light-emitting diodes LB disposed at a far side of the path 33to wait for the IC card 2B to be inserted, as shown in FIG. 12A. If acash card or the like is erroneously inserted, the card or the like isdischarged to the receiving pan 36, and the red light-emitting diodes LRare turned on instead of blinking of the blue light-emitting diodes LB,as shown in FIG. 12B.

In contrast, when the IC card 2B is inserted and mutual authenticationis performed correctly, the central processing unit 42 obtains anaffirmative result in step SP44, and the procedure proceeds to stepSP48. The central processing unit 42 reads the remaining amount ofelectronic money and others from the IC card 2B under the control of thesignal processing circuit 46. In the next step SP49, the blinking bluelight-emitting diodes LB are turned on. The central processing unit 42further turns on the light of the pushbutton 5F to report to the userthat the pushbutton 5F can be operated. In addition, the centralprocessing unit 42 drives the liquid-crystal display panel 43 to displaya message “Continuous deposit allowed” together with the remainingamount of electronic money for a predetermined time on the displaysection 5B, and then to display a message “Press pushbutton toterminate” to show the reason why the light of the pushbutton 5F hasbeen turned on.

Then, the procedure proceeds to step SP50, and the central processingunit 42 determines whether a deposit notice has been obtained from thedeposit mechanism 41 to determine whether the user has input a bill.When a negative result is obtained, the procedure proceeds to step SP54,and the central processing unit determines whether the user has pressedthe pushbutton 5F to instruct the discharge of the IC card. When anegative result is obtained, the procedure returns to step SP50.

When the IC card 2B is inserted correctly, the central processing unit42 temporarily holds the IC card 2B in the path 33 and illuminates itfrom the rear side by the blue light-emitting diodes LB to wait for auser operation, as shown in FIG. 13A. When the user inputs a bill intothe deposit mechanism 41 while the IC card 2B is held as describedabove, since a positive result is obtained in step SP50, the centralprocessing unit 42 switches the presentation of the display section 5Bto a presentation of the amount of input money, and the procedureproceeds to step SP51. The central processing unit 42 instructs the ICcard 2B to update its electronic money such that the electronic money isincreased by the amount of input money reported from the depositmechanism 41. The central processing unit 42 also displays a message“Being deposited” in the display section 5B.

When the IC card 2B reports the completion of updating the amount ofmoney, the procedure proceeds to step SP52, and the green light-emittingdiodes LG are turned on for a predetermined time in addition to the bluelight-emitting diodes LB to report the completion of deposit to theuser. In the next step SP53, the speaker 50 is driven to emit apredetermined sound to report the completion of deposit to the user. Thecentral processing unit 42 drives the liquid-crystal display panel 43 todisplay a message “Continuous deposit allowed” for a predetermined timetogether with the amount of electronic money recorded in the IC card,and then switches the presentation to a message “Press Pushbutton toterminate.” The central processing unit 42 increases the electronicmoney by the amount of input money in this way, and the procedurereturns to step SP50.

When the IC card 2B is inserted correctly, the central processing unit42 holds the IC card 2B in the path 33 and illuminates it from the rearside by the blue light-emitting diodes LB, as shown in FIG. 13A. Whenthe user inputs a bill, the central processing unit 42 increases theelectronic money by the amount of input money. When this increasing isfinished, the IC card 2B is illuminated by the blue light-emittingdiodes LB and the green light-emitting diodes LG, as shown in FIG. 13B.Since the procedure returns to step SP50, the central processing unit 42executes this series of processing procedure while the IC card 2B isbeing held in the path, every time the user inputs a bill.

In contrast, when the user presses the pushbutton 5F, since the centralprocessing unit 42 obtains an affirmative result in step SP54, theprocedure proceeds to step SP55. The central processing unit 42 drivesthe plunger 47 to retract the protrusions 34 from the path 33 to dropthe IC card 2B held in the path 33 to the receiving pan 36. The centralprocessing unit 42 also displays a message “Processing finished. Takeout card” in the display section 5B.

The central processing unit 42 is structured such that the operation ofthe receiving pan 36 can be detected by a predetermined sensor. When theuser manipulates the receiving pan 36 to take out the IC card 2B, amessage “Operate button to print receipt” is displayed in the displaysection 5B. When this message is displayed for a predetermined time, thecentral processing unit 42 then displays a message “Thank you”. Theprocedure proceeds to step SP47, and the processing procedure isfinished. In contrast, when the pushbutton 5F is operated during thepredetermined time, the printing mechanism 48 is driven to print theamount of input electronic money, the remaining amount of electronicmoney after deposit, and others. Then, the processing proceeds to stepSP47, and the processing procedure is finished.

(1-2) Operation in the First Embodiment

With the above structure, in the IC card system 1 (FIG. 2), the IC card2A in which electronic money has been recorded is accessed at the storeterminal 4 disposed at a store to execute electronic-money paymentprocessing; electronic money in the IC card 2B reduced by theelectronic-money payment is increased at the deposit machine 5; andthereby, the IC card 2A is used as an electronic-money recording mediumfor various payment.

When electronic money is used in this way, a clerk operates the bodyapparatus 11 to calculate the amount of money to be paid, and the bodyapparatus 11 instructs the input and output section 12 to performpayment processing with this amount of money to be paid, in the paymentprocessing at the store terminal 4 (FIG. 3 and FIG. 4). In the IC cardsystem 1, the loop antenna 24 disposed at the placement section 12Dstarts sending a polling command serving as a call to the IC card 2A inresponse to the instruction. The blue light-emitting diodes LB disposedat the placement section 12D blink (FIG. 1, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6). Withthis operation, portions corresponding to the four corners of the ICcard 2A conspicuously blink in blue in the placement section 12D toprompt the user to place the IC card 2A on the placement section 12D. Amessage prompting an operation and the amount of money to be paid aredisplayed in the display section 12C formed of the liquid-crystaldisplay panel.

When a polling command is sent in this way; a response from the IC cardis obtained; and correct mutual authentication processing is performedso that electronic money in the IC card 2A is reduced by the amount ofmoney to be paid. As the series of processing advances, blinking of theblue light-emitting diodes LB is changed to continuous lighting of theblue light-emitting diodes LB, and then to a presentation by the bluelight-emitting diodes LB and the green light-emitting diodes LG (FIG.8), and a predetermined sound is output. When the series of processingcannot be performed correctly, a presentation by the blue light-emittingdiodes LB is changed to that by the red light-emitting diodes LR, andsound indicating an error is emitted.

Such IC-card processing is executed when an IC card is held in aproximity of the placement section 12D. Since the light-emitting diodesand the loop antenna 24 are disposed and covered with semi-transparentand transparent plates to form the placement section 12D, the placementsection 12D also functions as a display section with a feature of an ICcard, that is, non-contact accessibility, being used. In other words, inthis portion, various light-emitting diodes which make the placementsection 12D serve as a display area form a display section, and in theinput and output section 12, the loop antenna forms data communicationmeans for transmitting and receiving data to and from an IC card held inproximity to the display area. By processing in the central processingunit 22, a presentation at the display section is switched according todata communication processing.

In the input and output section 12, since the loop antenna 24 isdisposed almost at the center of the display area which is at the centerof the various types of light-emitting diodes, when an IC card isbrought toward the center of various indications of light-emittingdiodes, data exchange is possible with the IC card. In a state in whichthe IC card is held in this way, a presentation can be switched toreport the completion of processing or an error to even a userunfamiliar with the operation of an IC card.

In other words, in the input and output section 12, when an IC card isbrought toward an area enclosed by the blue light-emitting diodes whichare blinking; a response is obtained from the IC card, mutualauthentication is completed, the contents of the IC card are readcorrectly, and blinking of the blue light-emitting diodes LB is switchedto continuous lighting thereof. Therefore, a presentation at theplacement section 12D, which also functions as the display section, canbe provided for the user as an operation guide of the IC card 2A.

When payment is finished with electronic money, the green light-emittingdiodes are turned on for a predetermined period. The start of thisindication of the green light-emitting diodes or the end of theindication can report to the user the completion of processing.

In contrast, when correct processing cannot be performed, the redlight-emitting diodes are turned on for a predetermined period. Thestart of this indication or the end thereof can report to the user anerror.

Together with these indications, a predetermined sound is output fromthe speaker 26 or a message is displayed on the display section 12C toreport the series of processing to the user. Especially when a displaymade from the light-emitting diodes is formed at a portion having arelatively large area in the input and output section 12, the usernaturally pays attention to the display made from the light-emittingdiodes. Therefore, when the display section 12C is formed in a proximityof the display made from the light-emitting diodes and a detailedmessage is shown there, a user's attention can be drawn not only to asensuous operation guide made by lighting of light-emitting diodes butalso to a detailed guide made by messages displayed on the displaysection 12C. Therefore, a simple and positive user interface is obtainedwith a feature of non-contact-type IC cards being effectively used.

When the placement section 12D is also used as a display section in thisway and a presentation at the display section guides for IC-cardoperations, a dented section or the like for guiding an IC card does notneed to be made in the placement section. Therefore, a plane,transparent acrylic plate covers the entire input and output section 12,including the display section 12C formed of the liquid-crystal panel.Consequently, the input and output section 12 has a good design, anddust and the like are effectively prevented from accumulating on thesurface thereof.

Since the user can manipulate an IC card by a hand in the input andoutput section 12 without passing the IC card to a clerk, safety isimproved largely compared with a conventional case.

On the other hand, in the deposit machine 5 (FIG. 9), after an IC cardis input to the input opening 5C serving as an opening through which anIC card is vertically dropped, when a bill is inserted into theinsertion opening 5A, electronic money is increased in the IC card bythe amount of money of the input bill, and the IC card is discharged byoperating the button 5F.

In this processing, when an IC card is input to the input opening 5C inthe deposit machine 5, the IC card is dropped freely and temporarilyheld in the path 33, and a process for increasing electronic money isexecuted in this state. The deposit machine 5 is structured such thatthe user can see the inside of the path 33 extending from the inputopening 5C for an IC card to the receiving pan 36 from which the IC cardis taken out. When the user stops in front of the deposit machine 5, theportion where an IC card is temporarily held is indicated (FIG. 12A) byblinking of the blue light-emitting diodes in the path 33 structured inthis way, and a predetermined message is indicated at the displaysection 5B to prompt the user to input an IC card.

When an IC card is input; the IC card is temporarily held in the path33, mutual authentication is performed correctly, the contents of the ICcard are read, and blinking of the blue light-emitting diodes isswitched to continuous lighting thereof to illuminate the IC cardtemporarily held in the path 33 from the rear in blue. When electronicmoney is processed correctly, the green light-emitting diodes are turnedon for a predetermined time in addition to continuous lighting of theblue light-emitting diodes to illuminate the IC card which was so farilluminated in blue, with greenish illumination.

When the processing is finished, if the button 5F is operated, theprotrusions 34 serving as a stopper for temporarily holding an IC cardin the path 33 are retracted to drop the IC card freely to the receivingpan 36 for discharging.

In contrast, when a credit card or the like is erroneously input, orwhen an IC card of a different type is input, the input object isdetected by a sensor, and then the protrusions 34 serving as a stopperare retracted to immediately drop the input object freely to thereceiving pan 36 for discharging because it cannot be processedcorrectly. In this case, blinking of the blue light-emitting diodes isswitched to lighting of the red light-emitting diodes for apredetermined time to positively report an error to the user in thedeposit machine 5.

Also in the deposit machine 5, a display having a predetermined displayarea is formed at a portion where an IC card is temporarily held, at arear side of the path 33, and data communication means for transmittingand receiving data to and from an IC card temporarily held in the path33 is formed in a proximity of the display area. Under the control ofthe central processing unit 42 serving as control means, a presentationof the presentation is switched according to processing performed by thedata communication means. With such processing, a user interfaceeffectively using a feature of a data storage device, non-contactaccessibility, is provided.

A presentation is switched in this way between when electronic money iscorrectly increased and when an error occurs, and a predetermined soundis output from the speaker 50 according to switching of thepresentation. A corresponding message is also indicated in the displaysection 5B. With these methods, an error and other states are positivelyreported to the user and operations are guided.

(1-3) Advantages of the First Embodiment

According to the above-described structure, a presentation at apredetermined area which includes a portion where a loop antenna usedfor data communication with an IC card serving as a data storage deviceis disposed is switched according to data communication processing withthe data storage device to provide a user interface with a feature ofthe data storage device, non-contact accessibility, effectively beingused. In other words, the user can visually understand variousdetermination rules, such as at what timing the user is asked to set anIC card and at what timing the user is asked to take out the IC card, ata portion where the IC card is held, according to switching of thepresentation. Ease-of-use is improved compared with a conventional case.

More specifically, the loop antenna used for data communication with anIC card is disposed almost at the center of the display area for thispresentation, and data exchange is performed. Therefore, thepresentation guides the user for operations, and it reports the uservarious processing states.

More specifically, when a presentation of the display is switchedbetween a period from when a polling is sent to an IC card to when aresponse is obtained, and a period when data is transmitted and receivedaccording to the response, a presentation prompting an IC-card operationis provided until the response is obtained, and a presentationindicating to the user that the IC card is held is provided after theresponse.

When a presentation of the display is switched between when processinghas been correctly finished and when processing cannot be finishedcorrectly, the completion of correct processing and an error arereported.

If predetermined alarm-sound emitting means is driven to emit apredetermined sound when such a display shows a presentation, variousprocessing results are more positively reported to the user.

In the deposit machine 5, when convey means for conveying an IC cardwith free fall in a manner in which the card can be seen is structured,and a presentation at a predetermined area which includes a portionwhere the loop antenna used for data communication with the IC card isdisposed is switched according to data communication processing with theIC card in the convey means, a user interface effectively using afeature of a data storage device, non-contact accessibility, is providedalso in the deposit machine.

When electronic money cannot be correctly processed in the convey means,or when a different object is input, an operation is switched todischarge the input object when a presentation at the display isswitched, so that even a user unfamiliar with operations can positivelyoperate the deposit machine.

An IC card is conveyed in a manner in which the IC card can be seen, andthe IC card is received from a user's hand and positively processed, sothat the user has an improved sense of safety.

When an IC card is conveyed by free fall, the entire structure issimplified.

(2) Other Embodiments

In the above-described embodiment, light-emitting diodes are disposed atportions corresponding to the four corners of an IC card to form adisplay. The present invention is not limited to this structure.Light-emitting diodes may be disposed at various positions to form adisplay. The present invention can be applied not only to a case inwhich light-emitting diodes form a display but also to a case in which aliquid-crystal panel or EL is used to form a display. When an imagedisplay such as a liquid-crystal panel is used to form a display, it ispossible to display the shape of an IC card, a still image or a motionimage prompting the user to operate an IC card, and a message as well asto show portions indicating a display position by lighting. In thiscase, it is also possible that a part or the whole of an IC card is madefrom a transparent material to make a presentation of the displayvisible through the transparent portion.

In the above-described embodiment, a semi-transparent plate and atransparent plate are laminated on light-emitting diodes to form adisplay as if the semi-transparent plate served as a light-emittingplane. The present invention is not limited to this structure. Even ifsuch a plate is not disposed, the same advantage is obtained. In thiscase, a portion enclosed by a plurality of light-emitting diodes servesas a display area made from such light-emitting diodes.

In the above-described embodiment, a loop antenna is disposed below asemi-transparent member and a transparent member which are surfacemembers. The present invention is not limited to this structure. Thestructure may be made, for example, such that a transparent electrode isused for form a loop antenna on a transparent member, and thetransparent member is disposed at the front surface of each of variousdisplays to dispose the loop antenna at the front-surface side. In thiscase, when a liquid-crystal display panel or an EL is used to form adisplay, a loop antenna is easily disposed.

In the above-described embodiment, display switching and sound emissionguide user operations, and further report errors and other conditions.The present invention is not limited to this case. Only displayswitching or only sound emission may be used as necessary to make areport. Since these type of data storage devices have a feature ofnon-contact accessibility, processing can be executed without passingthe media to a clerk. When only sound emission guides operations orreports an error and other conditions, even when the user performs aseries of processing by oneself, the user can understand a progresssituation of the processing.

In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied tothe input and output sections of a deposit machine and a store terminal.The present invention is not limited to this application. It can bewidely applied to various processing apparatuses for IC cards.

In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to aprocessing apparatus for a data storage device, such as an IC card. Thepresent invention is not limited to this application. It can be widelyapplied to processing apparatuses for data holding apparatuses, such asmobile terminals (portable telephones, portable information terminals,and the like) having an IC-card function. In the present specification,a data storage device and a data holding apparatus have the samemeaning.

In the above-described embodiment, a data storage device is accessed ina non-contact manner by an electromagnetic wave emitted when a loopantenna is driven. The present invention is not limited to this case. Itcan be widely applied to a case in which a data storage device isaccessed in a non-contact manner by light, which is an electromagneticwave having a short wavelength.

1-25. (canceled)
 26. A data communication method for accessinginformation on a portable storage device through a terminal devicehaving a placement section including a group of light emitting devices,said method comprising the steps of: sending a polling command to theportable storage device; authenticating the portable storage device whena response to the polling command is received; determining whetherinformation on the portable storage device is accessible; updating theinformation on the portable storage device when the information isaccessed; and activating the group of light emitting devices when thepolling command is sent, the group of activated light emitting devicesrepresenting a status condition of communication between the terminaldevice and the portable storage device.
 27. (canceled)
 28. The datacommunication method of claim 26, further comprising the step of:activating the group of light emitting devices when the information onthe portable storage device is updated, the group of activated lightemitting devices representing a change of the status condition of thecommunication between the terminal device and the portable storagedevice.
 29. The data communication method of claim 26, furthercomprising the step of: activating a part of the group of light emittingdevices when the communication between the terminal device and theportable storage device is not successfully completed.
 30. A datacommunication method for accessing information on a portable storagedevice, comprising the steps of: polling the portable storage device;receiving a response from the portable storage device; authenticatingthe portable storage device based on the response; updating informationon the portable storage device; checking the status of communicationwith the portable storage device; and activating a plurality of lightemitting diodes for a predetermined period based on the checked status.31. The data communication method of claim 30, wherein blue lightemitting diodes are activated to indicate a proper placement positionwhen the portable storage device is polled.
 32. The data communicationmethod of claim 30, wherein blue light emitting diodes are activatedwhen the information on the portable storage device is updated.
 33. Thedata communication method of claim 30, wherein red light emitting diodesare activated when at least one of an attempt to authenticate theportable storage device fails and an attempt to update information onthe portable storage device fails.
 34. A data communication method foraccessing information on a portable storage device, comprising the stepsof: sending a polling command to the portable storage device;communicating with the portable storage device when the response isreceived so that information stored on the portable storage device isaccessed and updated; and activating a plurality of light emittingdiodes at predetermined intervals based on a communication status withthe portable storage device.
 35. The data communication method of claim34, further comprising the step of: activating a group of light emittingdiodes of the plurality of light emitting diodes to indicate properplacement of the portable storage device for communication.
 36. The datacommunication method of claim 34, further comprising the step of:activating a group of light emitting diodes of the plurality of lightemitting diodes when communication with the portable storage device issuccessful.
 37. The data communication method of claim 34, furthercomprising the step of: activating a group of light emitting diodes whencommunication with the portable storage device is unsuccessful.
 38. Adata communication method for accessing information on a portablestorage device through a terminal device having a placement section thatincludes a first light emitting device, said method comprising the stepsof: sending a polling command to the portable storage device;authenticating the portable storage device when a response to thepolling command is received; and performing a processing operation whenthe authentication has been successful, wherein an emitting state of thefirst light emitting device is switched among a first state of waitingfor a response to the polling command, a second state of performing theprocessing, and a third state of completing the processing operation.39. The data communication method of claim 38, wherein the first lightemitting device identifies the first state by blinking, the first lightemitting device identifies the second state by continuous lighting, andthe first light emitting device identifies the third state by stoppinglight emission.
 40. The data communication method of claim 38, whereinthe placement section of the terminal device includes a second lightemitting device and the second light emitting device emits a differentcolor light from the first light emitting device when the processingoperation has not been completed correctly.
 41. The data communicationmethod of claim 38, further comprising the step of: indicating thecompletion of the processing and discontinuation of the processingoperation by producing an audible output.
 42. A data communicationdevice capable of communicating with a portable storage device in anon-contact manner, comprising: a group of light emitting devices; andpolling means for sending a polling command to the portable storagedevice; wherein the group of light emitting devices is activated whenthe polling command is sent, and the group of activated light emittingdevices represent a status condition of communication between the datacommunication device and the portable storage device.
 43. The datacommunication device of claims 42, further comprising: determining meansfor determining whether information on the portable storage device isaccessible; and updating means for updating the information on theportable storage device when the information is accessible, wherein thegroup of light emitting devices is activated when the information on theportable storage device is updated, the group of activated lightemitting devices representing a change of the status condition of thecommunication between the data communication device and the portablestorage device.
 44. The data communication device of claim 42, wherein apart of the group of light emitting devices is activated when thecommunication between the data communication device and the portablestorage device is not successfully completed.